Trees and Shrubs
The Joshua Tree – A Desert Survivalist
The Joshua tree, named by Mormon pioneers after their prophet, is the signature plant of the Mojave Desert. This is the only place in the world it is found. It is an evergreen plant that can reach a height of 40 feet and live for upwards of 200 years. It endures the harsh, dry desert […]
The Grapes of Cocoa Beach
During a recent trip to Cocoa Beach, Anne and I walked from our small suite to the Atlantic Ocean beach front. Our short hike took us through a dune community dominated by a dense growth of sea grapes, a tree flattened by sea breezes and thriving in the dry sandy soils. Large rounded green leaves, […]
A Breather from the Holiday Rush
Anne and I decided to take a break from holiday shopping and preparations by riding into the central Florida countryside. We drove past cattle ranches, long leaf pine farms, orange groves and a vineyard. When we reached Clermont, we discovered a U-Pick Orange Grove and decided to check it out. A short walk from the […]
Attractive, but a Pest!
Along the edges of the lakes and swamps in Florida is a bush with magnificent yellow flowers that are in full bloom in October. Once a native of Central and South America, its alluring, showy blossoms attracted gardeners who planted it here in Florida and other southern States. This plant is called the primrose willow. […]
A Hint of Autumn in Florida
Unlike the trees up north live oaks, cypress and hickory trees are still a deep green here in central Florida in mid October. I scan the woodlands alongside Lake Tsala Apopka looking for some sign of fall. Alas I find a hint of autumn with the leaf changes of the southern fox grape, a vine […]
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